The New York Yankees are doing something this winter that fans aren't used to: saving their money.
The Yankees sat out the Max Scherzer bidding war despite a less-than-impressive pitching rotation, and on Wednesday, GM Brian Cashman explained why they haven't been going after big-money free agents like they used to:
“We in fact had some contracts coming back on with Alex Rodriguez returning from his suspension. That was $21 million dollars coming back on the payroll.” Cashman told WPAT-AM 930 on Wednesday. “...we’ll still have about the second-highest payroll and I don’t see it going any higher.”
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Rodriguez is actually due to make $22 million in 2015, the 8th year of a 10-year, $275 million deal he signed prior to the 2008 season (the raw salary comes out to $21 million, but Rodriguez will receive an additional $1 million as part of his deferred signing bonus). New York's 2015 payroll is estimated to be $211,017,857, which leaves them over $50 million behind the MLB-leading Los Angeles Dodgers ($264,933,330).
Rodriguez only played in 44 games for the Yankees in 2013, batting .244 with 7 home runs and 19 RBI. Rodriguez plans to be New York's starting third baseman this season, and has been working out with former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds in an attempt to get back into form before Spring Training begins.
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